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WWE 2K24 slams into the ring following the generally positive reception of WWE 2K23. Developer Visual Concepts promises a bigger, more spectacular wrestling experience than ever before, coinciding with Wrestlemania’s 40th anniversary. But does WWE 2K24 deliver a championship-worthy performance, or is it just hype? Let’s dive into the squared circle and find out.

WWE 2K24 Gameplay

Refined Gameplay with Smart Improvements

While WWE 2K24 doesn’t drastically reinvent the wheel (a common trait of annual sports titles), it does offer some key refinements based on community feedback and builds upon the solid foundation of WWE 2K23. The core combat system remains largely unchanged from recent entries, but the addition of new features and situational animations adds depth and dynamism. The inclusion of “trading blows” sequences—those back-and-forth striking exchanges—and the ability to perform diving attacks onto multiple opponents outside the ring brings the in-game action closer to its real-world counterpart. Building up three finish move meters unlocks a devastating “super finish move” for maximum impact.

The improved AI provides a greater challenge, utilizing clever reversals, aggressive comebacks, and complex combos to keep players on their toes, even on lower difficulty settings.

WWE 2K24 Different Game ModesFamiliar game modes like Play, Universe, Showcase, My Rise, MyGM, MyFACTION, Online, and the robust Creations suite return. Excitingly, WWE 2K24 reintroduces the “Special Referee Guest” mode after a two-decade absence, allowing players to don the stripes and call the action (fairly or unfairly). Be warned, though: overly biased officiating can lead to your own ejection and replacement.

The return of “Casket” and “Ambulance” matches adds a welcome layer of variety. These classic match types task players with incapacitating their opponents and then performing a quick-time event to secure the win. While not entirely new, their inclusion contributes to a sense of freshness. Other match types retain their core mechanics but benefit from improved environmental interactions, impactful animations, and the addition of perks to enhance strategic gameplay.

WWE 2K24 offers key refinements and builds upon the solid foundation of WWE 2K23.

WWE 2K24 My Rise Mode“My Rise” continues to offer engaging storylines with meaningful choices and hours of character progression. While occasionally lighthearted, the narratives provide a compelling experience. “MyGM” benefits from an improved user interface and expanded options, offering greater flexibility in managing shows and wrestlers. Similarly, the “Universe” mode receives additional cutscenes and customization features, further bolstering the game’s already impressive content offerings.

Overall, WWE 2K24 delivers a satisfying and comprehensive wrestling experience, even without groundbreaking innovations. It offers a significant step up from previous iterations, providing ample opportunities for thrilling matches and creative customization.

Shortcomings and Missed Opportunities

WWE 2K24 Minor IssuesUnfortunately, WWE 2K24 isn’t without its flaws. The Wrestlemania 40th anniversary Showcase mode feels more like an extended tutorial, presenting players with a series of checklist objectives to trigger real-world footage interspersed with gameplay. While the checklists aren’t mandatory to complete matches, the overall presentation lacks the emotional resonance and narrative depth of previous showcases focused on individual wrestlers like John Cena or Rey Mysterio.

Despite boasting a massive roster of over 200 wrestlers, the less prominent characters lack the same level of detail and polish as their more iconic counterparts. The resurrected match types, while welcome, don’t offer truly innovative gameplay. And the controversial MyFaction mode, with its microtransaction-heavy progression system, returns, requiring players to engage with it to unlock certain wrestlers. This unfortunately adds an unnecessary blemish to the overall package.

WWE 2K24 feels like a pricey expansion rather than a true leap forward.

While WWE 2K24 offers a visually polished and refined experience, the lack of significant innovation makes it feel more like a pricey expansion than a true leap forward. The game undeniably has immense potential, but it ultimately fails to fully capitalize on it.